February 3Feb 3 Planned to get an O-A Visa, put the A$40K in an account in my name last year and went to my doctors today sign the medical certificate.Showed him the O-A requirements and the Thai medical certificate. Long story short he refused to fill it out saying that some things can be underlying for years without symptoms (like TB). The actual form says I am "FREE" of those conditions which he wouldn't sign.He went ahead and wrote his own letter saying "as far as I know BaanOz has never presented or complained of symptoms of the 4 conditions". Also, as the form also mentions good mental and health, he also wrote a couple of things including a "mental" issue from 20 years ago on my file.If I submit the letter he wrote, any idea if it would immediately be rejected not being the official Thai form for their medical certificate? I suspect the answer is yes and lose the application $'sI could not just show up at another doctors and expect them to sign it, so I think the only option would be to get tested for these:1. LEPROSY2. TUBERCULOSIS (T.B.)3. ELEPHANTIASIS4. DRUG ADDICTION5. THIRD STEP OF SYPHILISHas anyone else had to get tests for these in Australia? I read that rare diseases like leprosy or elephantiasis require referral to an infectious diseases specialist or public hospital clinic.
February 3Feb 3 It's an issue as some clinic/doctors will want to do blood tests etc. Some may just sign the form and place a clinic stamp on the form. Here is form:https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=web&rct=j&url=https://image.mfa.go.th/mfa/0/s2rU96ODpR/document/publicservice/Example_Medical_Certificate_OA.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwj795iAyrySAxXDa_UHHYO7EFkQy_kOegQIAxAD&opi=89978449&cd&psig=AOvVaw20rF6KwbdUa2L3q_-yA7tK&ust=1770182546398000
February 3Feb 3 Author 1 minute ago, DrJack54 said:It's an issue as some clinic/doctors will want to do blood tests etc.Some may just sign the form and place a clinic stamp on the form.Here is form:Thanks, that's the one he wouldn't sign.Except the version I had might have been old and didn't have ALCOHOLISM or CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19).
February 3Feb 3 Popular Post Thais do not make accommodations or think outside the box. They are given a checklist, and you either check the box or you do not. Without this form, you do not check the box.Find a doctor who isn't an ass, and they'll sign it for you.
February 3Feb 3 I applied for the O-A visa back in 2016 in the U.K., I had read about the difficulties getting the Med Certificate signed and indeed my U.K. GP would only give me a letter stating that my health records showed no signs of the 5 diseases.Luckily I had opportunity to get a Med Certificate signed in Thailand very easily at a local clinic with only the usual basic health checks ( and 200 baht ! ).Back at the Thai Embassy in London they refused to accept my GP letter but the Thai Med Certificate was okay.So, due to length of time and different country etc my info is less than reliable but I would recommend if possible you get the Med Certificate signed in Thailand.
February 3Feb 3 You could try Dr Donna, who was very helpful during Covid doing video consultationshttps://www.medconsultasia.com/gp-consultation/
February 3Feb 3 Author Thanks for the replies.Was thinking I could just ask the doctor for blood tests but believe the ELEPHANTIASIS test might be difficult to get in Sydney. Not to mention the LEPROSY (skin biopsy). Not sure.Saying that, I suspect he won't sign the standard form anyway due to this part: "in good physical health and mental health, free from any defect". He listed a couple of past issues on his letter and a medication. That suggests I'm not free of defects and he can't write these on the standard form.To get a Medical Certificate in Thailand for the O-A would mean a trip there and back so thinking I'll just have to go the Non 0-Visa route. Planning to spend maybe 10 months a year in Phuket and a couple back in Sydney each year.
February 4Feb 4 3 hours ago, BaanOz said:Thanks for the replies.Was thinking I could just ask the doctor for blood tests but believe the ELEPHANTIASIS test might be difficult to get in Sydney. Not to mention the LEPROSY (skin biopsy). Not sure.Saying that, I suspect he won't sign the standard form anyway due to this part: "in good physical health and mental health, free from any defect". He listed a couple of past issues on his letter and a medication. That suggests I'm not free of defects and he can't write these on the standard form.To get a Medical Certificate in Thailand for the O-A would mean a trip there and back so thinking I'll just have to go the Non 0-Visa route. Planning to spend maybe 10 months a year in Phuket and a couple back in Sydney each year.Dr Donna used to sign this form with a simple video call. I'm not sure if she still does that, and/or if embassies still accept it. Might be worth a try though.
February 4Feb 4 Find another Doctor, sure you want the OA ? I had one, nothing but health insurance headaches trying to align your health insurance expiry date close to your permission to stay stamp at extension time.....
February 4Feb 4 53 minutes ago, CANSIAM said:Find another Doctor, sure you want the OA ? I had one, nothing but health insurance headaches trying to align your health insurance expiry date close to your permission to stay stamp at extension time.....With respect to the OA visa and health insurance alignment - back it the day when the health insurance (with the required companies) became a requirement, I sought health insurance quotations about 4 months before the visa had to be extended. Chose a company about 3 months before the expire date, and told the company I wanted the insurance to begin on the day the visa expired. No problems - now renew the annual insurance about 2 months before it expires, and have all documentation ready before i go to immigration to extend the visa.
February 4Feb 4 1 hour ago, CANSIAM said:Find another Doctor, sure you want the OA ? I had one, nothing but health insurance headaches trying to align your health insurance expiry date close to your permission to stay stamp at extension time.....That is the best route if one is outside of LOS. Just had an OA Visa approved in early January by the Los Angeles Consulate. KISS is the applicable term for EVisa. Submit all documents exactly as it is prescribed on the website. Any doctor generated form will be rejected. Got the Visa approved in 5 days this time. I have obtained OA Visa's in the past and this time was the fastest. Might want to consider a clinic that caters to international travelers. For the first OA Visa many years ago I went to a medical clinic that catered to international travelers. The clinics that give vaccinations for those who are traveling internationally might be understanding and just complete and sign the for form.
February 4Feb 4 I got my O=A in Oz back in 2014 and had no issues when it came to my GP signing the medical certificate. Perhaps seeing a different GP will solve the problem.
February 4Feb 4 2 hours ago, sqwakvfr said:That is the best route if one is outside of LOS. Just had an OA Visa approved in early January by the Los Angeles Consulate. KISS is the applicable term for EVisa. Submit all documents exactly as it is prescribed on the website. Any doctor generated form will be rejected. Got the Visa approved in 5 days this time. I have obtained OA Visa's in the past and this time was the fastest. Might want to consider a clinic that caters to international travelers. For the first OA Visa many years ago I went to a medical clinic that catered to international travelers. The clinics that give vaccinations for those who are traveling internationally might be understanding and just complete and sign the for form.Non-O is going to be what most people want, making it the best route for most. Much lower requirements, and much better if you intend on extending every year.Non-OA only makes sense for someone who will be returning to their home country every 2 years and will apply for a new non-OA visa, so they never have to deal with immigration in Thailand or a bank deposit.
February 4Feb 4 On 2/3/2026 at 6:07 AM, BaanOz said:Planned to get an O-A Visa...A non-immigrant O-visa is much easier and do not require health check and approved health insurance. For annual extension of stay the financioal demands are the same for both visas, but non O-A still requires health insurance.
February 4Feb 4 Author 1 hour ago, BrandonJT said:Non-OA only makes sense for someone who will be returning to their home country every 2 years and will apply for a new non-OA visa, so they never have to deal with immigration in Thailand or a bank deposit.Thanks. This is exactly why I wanted to go for the O-A but for the next few years, planning only 10-12 months max in Thailand, then 2 months back in Sydney. Is it worth getting the O-visa for my situation?Last couple of years used the METV for 6 months.Anyway, thought O-A was more appropriate than getting the O-Visa. Especially if I exited and returned before the 12 months finished and get another year.If I got the O-Visa, stayed 10-12 months, then after a couple of months in Sydney would the process be to get another 90 day Non O-Visa and start again?6 minutes ago, khunPer said:and approved health insuranceWas planning to use the cheap Falcon Insurance for about 7000 baht. I have other travel insurance that covers me up to 12 months.
February 4Feb 4 22 minutes ago, BaanOz said:Thanks. This is exactly why I wanted to go for the O-A but for the next few years, planning only 10-12 months max in Thailand, then 2 months back in Sydney. Is it worth getting the O-visa for my situation?Last couple of years used the METV for 6 months.Anyway, thought O-A was more appropriate than getting the O-Visa. Especially if I exited and returned before the 12 months finished and get another year.If I got the O-Visa, stayed 10-12 months, then after a couple of months in Sydney would the process be to get another 90 day Non O-Visa and start again?Was planning to use the cheap Falcon Insurance for about 7000 baht. I have other travel insurance that covers me up to 12 months.I believe Sydney is the only consulate in the world that will let you use funds in your home bank account for the OX visa. That's similar to the OA visa, except it gives you 5 years instead of 1 year. There is a higher financial requirement, but if you can meet it, it might be an even better option.
February 4Feb 4 28 minutes ago, BaanOz said:This is exactly why I wanted to go for the O-A but for the next few years, planning only 10-12 months max in Thailand, then 2 months back in Sydney. Is it worth getting the O-visa for my situation?Absolutely it's worth obtaining the Non O retirement for stays you outlined.Being Oz the first extension would require you to use money in bank method.If you started monthly transfers at same time as first extension then you could switch to income method in second and subsequent extensions. Meaning no money tied in a Thai bank. Obviously you would buy a reentry permit. You could obtain the Non O in Oz then after entry make 800k transfer to Thai bank.I prefer to use WISE for transfers from Oz.
February 4Feb 4 Author 3 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:Absolutely it's worth obtaining the Non O retirement for stays you outlined.Thanks Dr Jack, how does this work?Firstly the 90 days, extend 12 months giving total 15 months.Get a re-entry permit, exit after 10 months and return at 12 months and extend my 2nd year at the 15 months.From then on I just have to make sure I leave and return before expiry to renew for another year otherwise the extension expires and would have to start again by getting the 90 day in Sydney?16 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:I prefer to use WISE for transfers from Oz.Same, used for years but is there any issue transferring the 800K in one hit? Guess for a new account at least a tiny amount to check first!I'll check around with the suggestions above but might bite the bullet and go for the O-visa if any further trouble with the O-A. Thanks.
February 4Feb 4 43 minutes ago, BaanOz said:Firstly the 90 days, extend 12 months giving total 15 months.Get a re-entry permit, exit after 10 months and return at 12 months and extend my 2nd year at the 15 months.From then on I just have to make sure I leave and return before expiry to renew for another year otherwise the extension expires and would have to start again by getting the 90 day in Sydney?Yes, that's correct.When you enter with the Non O you are stamped in for 90 days.After transferring the 800k you season it for two months and apply for 12 month extension.Obviously you need to be back in Thailand (as you point out) before expiry of the extension.You are required to maintain the 800k in bank for 3 months after approval of extension then not below 400k and back up to 800k two months prior to following extension.This is why some folk prefer the Non O-A as it does not require funds in Thai bank.Prior to insurance requirement is was a ripper visa.Would need to obtain new Non O-A every 2 years or do extensions with same financial requirements outlined for the Non O + ongoinging insurance requirement.No issue transferring 800k in one hit to some banks.BBL and Kasikorn are two.Don't opt for BBL.As I pointed out earlier. If after one year you switch to income method them no need to maintain funds in Thai bank.The monthly transfers need to be 65k/month.
February 4Feb 4 9 hours ago, BaanOz said:Thanks. This is exactly why I wanted to go for the O-A but for the next few years, planning only 10-12 months max in Thailand, then 2 months back in Sydney. Is it worth getting the O-visa for my situation?Last couple of years used the METV for 6 months.Anyway, thought O-A was more appropriate than getting the O-Visa. Especially if I exited and returned before the 12 months finished and get another year.If I got the O-Visa, stayed 10-12 months, then after a couple of months in Sydney would the process be to get another 90 day Non O-Visa and start again?Was planning to use the cheap Falcon Insurance for about 7000 baht. I have other travel insurance that covers me up to 12 months.The benefit with an O-A visa is that you can keep your funds in your home country. However, if you wish to stay for longer term, there are no benefits, you must deposit 800k baht in a Thai bank when applying for extension of stay. Your health insurance needs to be an approved one, also if your extend your stay. You can likely not use a travel insurance. Having a non-O visa and extensions there is no demand for health insurance.Be aware of travel insurance, if it actually covers you one year abroad, or is a duration of one year with limited time for each trips, for example maximum 60 days.If you return to Sydney after 10-12 months and re-enter Thailand after a couple of months, expiring the initial 12-months O-A visa validation, you'll need a new visa. Upon extension of stay on an O-A visa, the conditions are the same as for a non-O visa; i.e. you'll need a re-entry permit.There is no problem to be outside Thailand for 2 months or longer when having a non-O visa and extensions, you just apply for a re-entry permit or an unlimited re-entry permit for a year, if you wish to travel more than once, when renewing your one-year extension of stay. The only thing you need to be aware of is that you are in Thailand when you need to apply for another extension of stay, typically 30-45 days before the present extension expires, but as usual with small variations between different immigration offices.
February 4Feb 4 Author 4 hours ago, khunPer said:Be aware of travel insurance, if it actually covers you one year abroad, or is a duration of one year with limited time for each trips, for example maximum 60 days.Thanks khinPer, I just double checked and "Maximum cover duration: 12 months per journey (no extension possible)". Can't get this insurance now but (for now) I'm "grandfathered" on a commbank travel insurance.4 hours ago, khunPer said:There is no problem to be outside Thailand for 2 months or longer when having a non-O visa and extensions, you just apply for a re-entry permit or an unlimited re-entry permit for a year, if you wish to travel more than once, when renewing your one-year extension of stay.Thought I'd need a re-entry permit no matter how many times I exited Thailand during the extension period?This has morphed into a different topic O-A vs O and my doctor may have done me a favour. I didn't want to get the O for reasons above but it looks like a better choice especially long term and as Dr Jack mentioned, if I change to the income method, no cash sitting idle in a Thai bank.
February 4Feb 4 I thought the OA visa you could apply with funds in your own countries bank account but if you want the second year you have to have funds in a Thai account ?
February 4Feb 4 12 minutes ago, mlkik said:I thought the OA visa you could apply with funds in your own countries bank account but if you want the second year you have to have funds in a Thai account ?The visa is valid for entry 1 year. Each entry is for a 1 year stay. If you enter just before the expiry of the visa you will get a new 1 year entry (the "second year"). You need to have insurance covering the new entry period. You only need money in a Thai account if you apply for an annual extension of stay at the end of any visa entry period.Note that in practice you will never get 2 years of stay out of the visa. Unless you manage to enter on the day the visa is issued which is likely impossible. So the key date to remember is always the visa expiry date, and enter before that.
February 5Feb 5 Added note. For the "second year" with a Non O-A you need a reentry permit if you plan to exit and reenter Thailand.
February 5Feb 5 3 hours ago, BaanOz said:I didn't want to get the O for reasons above but it looks like a better choice especially long term and as Dr Jack mentioned, if I change to the income method, no cash sitting idle in a Thai bank.Note: this requires forward planning. You would start the transfers at time of application for the 12 month extension and cover both methods for that first year. In second year change to income method. I did this this last extension (Nov) after years of using money in bank method. Added bonus for those with partner is no need for WILL to bequeath the 800k
February 5Feb 5 8 hours ago, BaanOz said:Thanks khinPer, I just double checked and "Maximum cover duration: 12 months per journey (no extension possible)". Can't get this insurance now but (for now) I'm "grandfathered" on a commbank travel insurance.Thought I'd need a re-entry permit no matter how many times I exited Thailand during the extension period?This has morphed into a different topic O-A vs O and my doctor may have done me a favour. I didn't want to get the O for reasons above but it looks like a better choice especially long term and as Dr Jack mentioned, if I change to the income method, no cash sitting idle in a Thai bank.A one-time re-entry permit costs 1,000 baht. An unlimited re-entry permit for as long as your stay is permitted – i.e., the period for annual extension of stay – costs 3,800 baht. When you re-enters, you will be stamped permission to stay until the end date stamped in your extension of stay. If you for example leave after six months and return a month later, you will be permitted a 5-monts stay upon re-enter.With an O-A visa you will be permitted 12-monts stay upon every entry within the visa's eligibility. This means, that you actually can stay all together almost 2 years in Thailand with a re-entry just before the original O-A visa ends, where you will be permitted another 12-months stay. However, if you leave again with this last period the visa has ended and you cannot re-enter without a new visa or re-enter as visa exempt with 30-60 days permitted stay.I've been using non-O since 2005 and just apply for re-enter permit(s) when travelling abroad, if I have none or only one or a few planned trip per year. You can actually apply in the airport before leaving, but I've always used my local immigration office. However, some years in the beginning I used the multiple re-enter permission, when I did 6-7 trips abroad within a year.
February 5Feb 5 5 hours ago, DrJack54 said:Added note. For the "second year" with a Non O-A you need a reentry permit if you plan to exit and reenter Thailand.Can you do that? I think in earlier threads it has been mentioned that if you leave within the second year of an O-A, your visa/stay has expired and you cannot re-enter without a new visa, or will re-enter as visa-exempt.
February 5Feb 5 2 minutes ago, khunPer said:Can you do that? I think in earlier threads it has been mentioned that if you leave within the second year of an O-A, your visa/stay has expired and you cannot re-enter without a new visa, or will re-enter as visa-exempt.A Non O-A visa is valid for a year.It's, a multi entry visa.If you exit and reenter just prior to expiry you will be given a 12 month stamp.However while that permission of stay is valid even after the visa has expired you cannot exit Thailand and reenter.Hence you buy a reentry permit.Edit: you would also need to buy insurance policy for the "second year",
February 5Feb 5 7 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:A Non O-A visa is valid for a year.It's, a multi entry visa.If you exit and reenter just prior to expiry you will be given a 12 month stamp.However while that permission of stay is valid even after the visa has expired you cannot exit Thailand and reenter.Hence you buy a reentry permit.Thanks, that I know; my question was if you can obtain a re-entry permit within the last (extended) year of stay, which then seems like you can.
February 5Feb 5 2 minutes ago, khunPer said:my question was if you can obtain a re-entry permit within the last (extended) year of stayYep. No problem.
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